Barcelona ‘hope to raid Chelsea for Azpilicueta and Christensen in coming days’ with pair available on free transfers

BARCELONA are hoping to sign Chelsea defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen in the ‘coming days’.

The La Liga big boys are in the process of revamping their squad, which was recently bolstered by the arrival of former Arsenal hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

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Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are both Barcelona targets[/caption]

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And the Catalans are reportedly hoping to sign the pair in the ‘coming days’[/caption]

And according to reports, they’re exploring the possibility of acquiring the services of both Azpilicueta and Christensen.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Sport, who claim the Catalans want to seal the signings of the pair in the next few days.

Barcelona director of football Jordi Cruyff is said to be working on reaching agreements with the pair – who are out of contract in the summer.

The former Manchester United man revealed the club is already working on their summer plans after Aubameyang’s unveiling last week.

He said: “Our following obsessions are the renewals and the market of June. We have to go to finalise things”

Both Blues skipper Azpilicueta and Christensen are out of contract in June and are free to speak to other clubs.

Recent reports, however, have claimed Azpilicueta wants to stay and fight for his place in the starting XI.

And Blues boss Thomas Tuchel isn’t concerned about the imminent expiry of the 32-year-old’s contract.

When recently asked about Azpilicueta’s lack of game time, the German said: “I don’t see any problem here.

“The situation between Azpi, me and the club is very clear. He is our captain.

“He has all possibilities to stay here as long as possible and become the legend he already is.

“He is a fantastic captain and a fantastic player.”

Tuchel is also hopeful Denmark international Christensen will pen a new deal, saying after dropping him for three games in November: “We have the hope that it influences the contract situation a little bit.

“My understanding was that it was a matter of a very short period before we have good news.

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Thomas Tuchel is hoping Azpilicueta and Christensen ink new deals[/caption]

“I said this I think in the national break, that it’s for me a matter of days where we think that we can have good news about Andreas.

“As I understood it the club wants the same, the player wants the same, the coach wants the same: to stay. That’s why we need the commitment and then we can continue.”

Chelsea will be back in action on Wednesday night, taking on Al-Hilal in the final of the Club World Cup.

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